Criticism of Mormonism/Books/The Changing World of Mormonism/Chapter 1

Index

A FAIR Analysis of: Criticism of Mormonism/Books A work by author: Jerald and Sandra Tanner

Chapter 2

Claims made in Chapter 1: A Marvelous Work?

Page	Claim	Response	Author's sources
21	Joseph Smith stated that the final battle in the Book of Mormon was fought in New York.	Book of Mormon geography—New World—The Hill Cumorah	Mormon Doctrine, p. 175.
21	Bruce R. McConkie said that Brigham Young stated that there was a cave in the Hill Cumorah that was full of records.	Archaeology and the Hill Cumorah—Is there a cave in the Hill Cumorah containing the Nephite records?	Mormon Doctrine, p. 454.
22	Joseph Smith found a seer stone while digging a well.	Joseph Smith and seer stones	B.H. Roberts, Comprehensive History of the Church, vol.1, p.129.
22	LeGrand Richards claimed that Mormons do not have to rely on the Bible.	Citation error: Page 41 of this work contains a reprint of the Joseph Smith story (i.e., JS-H 1꞉26-28). The word "bible" is used only once in the entire chapter (p. 43), where Richards cites JS-H 1꞉36. It is true, though, that Joseph Smith did not gain all his knowledge about God from the Bible, but through direct revelation.	A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, p. 41.
22	Mormon leaders taught that the Garden of Eden was located in Jackson County.	Garden of Eden in Missouri?	Mormon Doctrine, p. 20.
22	A remnant of Adam's altar remained in Missouri.	Garden of Eden in Missouri?—Adam-ondi-Ahman	Mormon Doctrine, p. 21.
23	Joseph Smith described the inhabitants of the moon.	Joseph Smith and moonmen	Journal of Oliver B. Huntington
25	Brigham Young taught that the moon and sun were inhabited.	Brigham Young and moonmen See Quote mining—Journal of Discourses 13:271 to see how this quote was mined.	Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 13:271.
27	Orson Pratt preached against the Catholic Church	Great and abominable church	Pamphlets by Orson Pratt, p. 112
27	John Taylor taught that "we are the saviors of the world."	See Quote mining—Journal of Discourses 6:163 to see how this quote was mined.	John Taylor, Journal of Discourses 6:163.
27	Joseph Fielding Smith taught that Mormons are "the best people in the world."	This claim is repeated in One Nation Under Gods and is responded to here: Mormons believe they are morally, ethically, spiritually superior to others? See Quote mining—Doctrines of Salvation 1:236 to see how this quote was mined.	Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols., (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954–56), 236.
27	Brigham Young claimed that every person that does not confess that Joseph Smith was a prophet is "anti-Christ."	Joseph Smith's status in LDS belief	Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 volumes, edited by Brigham H. Roberts, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1957), 7:287. Volume 7 link
27	Joseph Fielding Smith taught that there is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith.	Joseph Smith's status in LDS belief See Quote mining—Doctrines of Salvation 1:189-90 to see how this quote was mined.	Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols., (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954–56),189–190.